Biorenewable blends of polylactide and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil compatibilized by a polylactide star polymer
Biorenewable additives or modifiers can be used for improving the performance of biorenewable thermoplastics. Modified natural oils, unmodified natural oils, and compatibilizers, as well as mixtures thereof, can be used in combination with a biorenewable thermoplastic such as polylactide (PLA) in order to produce an improved thermoplastic. Modified natural oils include acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO), unmodified natural oils include unmodified soybean oil (SYBO), and the compatibilizers may be star polymer compatibilizers. The improved thermoplastic may have improved tensile properties with little plasticization.
1. A biorenewable additive composition for use in improving the performance of biorenewable thermoplastics, comprising:
an additive selected from the group consisting of a modified natural oil, a blend of a modified natural oil and an unmodified natural oil, and a blend of a modified natural oil, an unmodified natural oil and a compatibilizer, wherein the modified natural oil is acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO), the unmodified natural oil is soybean oil (SYBO), and the compatibilizer is a star polymer compatibilizer.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the additive is a 50/50 blend of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO) and soybean oil.
3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the additive is a 25/25/50 blend of acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (AESO), soybean oil (SYBO), and a star polymer compatibilizer.
4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the star polymer compatibilizer has the structure:
wherein n is between about 10 and about 10,000.
5. A modified biorenewable thermoplastic having improved performance, comprising:
a biorenewable thermoplastic; and
the composition of claim 1 ,
wherein the composition is dispersed within the thermoplastic.
6. The modified biorenewable thermoplastic of claim 5 , wherein the biorenewable thermoplastic is polylactide (PLA).